NFL writer King picks Arizona Cardinals’ Tyrann Mathieu to be Defensive Rookie of the Year

Following a training camp and preseason that most everyone deemed to be successful, Arizona Cardinals rookie Tyrann Mathieu is now set to embark on his first NFL season.

The third-round pick out of LSU does so with higher expectations than many had for him just a few months ago, with some, such as NFL writer Peter King, picking the “Honey Badger” to be the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2013.

Wrote King:

Awards like this go to guys who make lots of plays. Mathieu has been diving all over Cards’ practices, making circus interceptions and proving to the front office that it made a smart choice with this risky pick.

Mathieu finished the preseason with 12 total tackles, one sack and one pass defensed. He figures to get a substantial amount of playing time, as he can line up at safety and cornerback for Todd Bowles’ defense.